CBFC blocks ‘Marco’ TV release, seeks OTT ban over violent content

CBFC denies TV rights for Malayalam film Marco due to extreme violence, sparking debate on film censorship and societal influence.

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has denied television satellite rights for the Malayalam action thriller Marco due to its extreme violent content. Additionally, the CBFC’s Regional Officer, Nadeem Thufali T, has urged the board’s chairperson to seek the Centre’s intervention in preventing the film’s release on OTT platforms.

“Marco has already been certified ‘A’ by the CBFC. Parents should exercise caution when allowing children to watch such films. The CBFC’s role is limited to certification and does not involve censorship. We have rejected the satellite rights for Marco as it’s not suitable for a family audience,” Thufali told Manorama News.

The film, which hit theatres in December 2024, follows gangster Marco and the powerful Adat family, who dominate Kerala’s gold mafia. Directed and written by Haneef Adeni, Marco stars Unni Mukundan in the lead role, with Siddique and Jagadish in pivotal roles.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan recently cautioned against the glorification of violence in films and television, citing a police report that linked the Malayalam film Avesham to real-life incidents of gang-related activity among students. His remarks followed a clash in Kozhikode’s Thamarassery, where a Class 10 student lost his life.

Meanwhile, the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) has dismissed claims that violent films contribute to real-world violence, calling such arguments a flawed interpretation of cinema’s societal influence.

In response to the controversy, Marco producer Shareef Muhammed stated, “The intensity of violence will be reduced in my next film.” He added that Marco was never intended to incite violence and acknowledged the need for filmmakers to be mindful of their content’s impact.